ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has heard the talk about his team not having the A-graders to be a contender in 2018, and his answer is simple.
Right now, as he prepares for his fifth and arguably most critical season in charge, the coach doesn't necessarily disagree with the suggestion.
But he expects the talk to be a lot different come the end of the 2018 season.
The Saints' list is one brimming with potential and opportunity following the retirements of champion Nick Riewoldt – the club's last All Australian in 2014 – and Leigh Montagna.
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And while the club's next generation of bona fide stars might not have announced themselves yet, Richardson is confident they will.
"There's been a fair bit of talk about the no A-graders about our list … all I would say to that is 'yet'," the coach tells AFL.com.au.
"We wouldn't have spoken about Ross or Roberton the year before as blokes who could have a real influence on the game and they were in the All Australian conversation.
"We've got the talent there and that's our job as coaches, to get them to maximise their potential."
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The emerging talent on the Saints' list is obvious, with half-forwards Jack Billings and Jade Gresham, and midfielders Jack Steele, Blake Acres and Luke Dunstan all showing signs that they are ready for breakout campaigns.
The ultra-consistent Ross is only 24 and has room to grow after winning the Saints' best and fairest in 2017 and earning selection in the 40-man All Australian squad.
Tim Membrey, 23, is the forward Richardson appears to be most excited about in 2018.
The Saints' young players have been told there is no need to wait until others believe they are ready and, if all goes to plan, the Saints should "absolutely" be contenders this season.
"We are going to be a really good team, and our want is that we are challenging this year," Richardson said.
"Fundamentally we've got to let our footy do the talking, so I'm not sure you will have me or too many people jumping out and making grand statements, but I know what we want to do.
"When you win more games than you lose in two years, you're knocking on the door for two years in a row, your group is starting to get into the 50-60 game range, and you think they're talented enough and made of the right stuff in terms of their character … we want to be a contender."
Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey will be critical to the Saints' fortunes this season. Picture: AFL Photos
St Kilda looked to have arrived as a finalist after 16 rounds last year, sitting 9-6 after blitzing eventual premier Richmond with some of the most exciting football played in 2017.
But the inconsistency that plagues young teams reared its head in the final seven rounds and the Saints went 2-5 to miss the finals by one game and significantly enough percentage that they were out of the race before their last match.
While disappointed with how the season finished, Richardson said the Saints proved they could match it with the best teams and their development was on track.
"We didn't get there and that's driving the group," the coach said.
"As a team and individually, we think we're heading the right way and we want things to happen quickly.
"Certainly our fans want things to happen quickly and we respect, understand and want that.
"We continue to look for opportunities, and there are plenty, which is exciting. [It would be worrying if] we were doing everything right and still not playing finals and there wasn't a lot of room to grow."
As well as Steele, Acres and Dunstan in the midfield, Richardson sees growth in Jack Sinclair and Jack Newnes, while senior midfielder David Armitage is effectively a new player after two seasons battling injury.
The coach is confident prized draftees Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield, snared with picks No.7 and No.8 in the NAB AFL Draft, will also go through the midfield at some point.
"When that happens will be up to them really, but both boys will be in the mix for the AFLX games and our want is to give them a run and expose them to some footy in the JLT games," Richardson said.
"Our fans are going to like watching them play. They've been exciting through pre-season so far."
The forward line is also an area of opportunity for the Saints, who will take a "horses for courses" approach with their three talls – Membrey, Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce.
Membrey's athleticism will likely see him play high up the ground, while Bruce is the team's deep marking option in attack.
McCartin is the intriguing prospect as he enters his fourth season since being recruited with pick No.1 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.
Richardson said that after rejoining the main training group three weeks ago after suffering a foot injury in late November, the 21-year-old was training well.
"We all know he needs a little bit of luck now, but we think he's got himself in really good shape and he's doing everything right," the coach said.
"We have two big forwards in Bruce and Paddy and Membrey is a bit of both.
"That gives us some real flexibility and we're getting some real depth with our small forwards.
"I like the way that's come together and it has the potential to be a real powerful part of our set-up."
